Location

Los Angeles, California, United States

Founded

2013

Price range

$22 – $38

Shipping

Worldwide

Catalogue

24 products

EM Cosmetics Brand Logo

EM Cosmetics

Independent brand — verified
About

EM Cosmetics is an American beauty brand with an unusual ownership story. Founded by Michelle Phan, one of the first creators to build a genuine audience in online beauty, the brand was later bought back by her and is now, in its own words, independently built and self-funded, which gives it a freedom most creator-founded labels lose. That independence shows in the product philosophy. EM is built around effortless, skin-loving makeup designed to enhance rather than cover, with the brand summarising its approach as doing more with less. Complexion products, lip colour, cream blushes and eye products favour soft, diffused finishes over full coverage, and the packaging is quietly considered rather than attention-seeking. All EM products are cruelty-free, with no animal testing at any stage and no sale into markets where animal testing is required by law. Many products in the range are vegan, indicated on individual product pages, and the brand continues to expand that offering. Selected items, including the Portrait Mode range, are crafted in Japan. Restocks and launches are infrequent by design, and the brand has resisted the constant release cycle that defines much of the creator-founded market. Priced in the mid-range tier, EM sits between mass and prestige, aimed at people who want a small, well-made everyday routine rather than a collection. The minimalist approach is deliberate throughout. For shoppers searching for vegan, cruelty-free American beauty from a women-owned, independently held brand with a genuine everyday and minimalist philosophy, EM Cosmetics offers a rare combination of creator credibility and restraint.

Shop EM Cosmetics

Picked by the brand. Checkout happens on EM Cosmetics’s own site.

Brand Details

Contract manufactured
Reusable
Refillable
Last reviewed
Oct 2026
Independent brand
Verified
M
Michelle Phan

Corrections

How we review brands

More like this

From other labels in the directory.

Frequently asked questions

Is EM Cosmetics good quality?
EM Cosmetics earns praise for its bouncy Pillow Plush Blush and long wearing tubing mascara, often mentioned among the best makeup brands from beauty influencers.
Who founded EM Cosmetics?
EM Cosmetics was founded by Michelle Phan, often called the world's first beauty influencer, whose viral YouTube tutorials led Lancome to hire her in 2010.
When and where was EM Cosmetics founded?
EM Cosmetics launched in 2013 through L'Oreal Luxe, and Michelle Phan later bought the brand back and relaunched it independently in April 2017.
What makes EM Cosmetics different?
EM Cosmetics differentiates itself with formulas inspired by art supplies, like a Color Drop Serum Blush modeled after watercolor paint and comic drawing pens.
Is EM Cosmetics cruelty free and vegan?
EM Cosmetics avoids animal testing and mainland China sales, and almost all its products are vegan except a few containing carmine or beeswax.
What's the bigger story behind EM Cosmetics?
EM Cosmetics survived a dramatic relaunch after Michelle Phan took a seven month break for burnout, returning to rebuild what's now one of the best influencer founded beauty brands.

Ready to shop?

Visit EM Cosmetics

You May Also Like

Discover more brands you might be interested in

SIMIHAZE Beauty featured image

SIMIHAZE Beauty

United States · Est. 2021 · Mid-range

SIMIHAZE BEAUTY is an American makeup brand founded in 2021 by sisters Simi and Haze Khadra and based in Los Angeles, California. The brand brings a highly visual, fashion-aware perspective to beauty, but its identity goes beyond creative presentation through a strong clean and conscious formulation profile. SIMIHAZE is vegan and cruelty-free and is associated with paraben-free and sulfate-free beauty. These qualities make it relevant for customers who want luxury-leaning makeup while still paying attention to ingredient standards and animal welfare. Sensitive-skin-friendly positioning gives the brand another layer of practicality, helping balance its bold, design-led image with products that can still fit comfortably into everyday routines. Sustainability and eco-friendly practices are also part of its profile, giving customers more than one reason to consider the brand from a conscious beauty perspective. As a women-owned Los Angeles beauty brand, SIMIHAZE has a clear founder-led identity and a strong connection to contemporary American beauty culture. Its listed pricing sits closer to mid-range, but the brand is positioned within luxury beauty thanks to its presentation and aesthetic direction. For shoppers seeking modern makeup that combines clean beauty, vegan and cruelty-free values, sensitive-skin-friendly formulas, sustainability, and a strong creative identity, SIMIHAZE stands out as a more expressive alternative to conventional luxury cosmetics.

Iris&Romeo featured image

Iris&Romeo

United States · Est. 2019 · Mid-range

Iris&Romeo is an American beauty brand founded in 2019 by Michele Gough Baril and based in Northern California. The women-owned brand combines clean beauty with a streamlined approach to makeup and skincare, making it especially relevant for customers who want fewer products to do more within their everyday routines. Its formulation standards are a major part of the brand’s appeal. Iris&Romeo is vegan and cruelty-free and is associated with paraben-free and sulfate-free beauty. These choices support its clean beauty positioning and give ingredient-conscious shoppers a clearer reason to consider the brand beyond aesthetics. Sustainability is also built into its profile. The use of recycled materials adds a tangible environmental element, while the brand’s minimalist beauty positioning naturally supports the idea of buying more intentionally rather than building oversized routines. Although its listed price range is mid-range, the brand is positioned within luxury beauty, which reflects its more polished presentation and elevated experience. That combination gives Iris&Romeo an interesting place between accessible prestige and traditional luxury. For shoppers looking for American clean beauty that feels refined but still practical, Iris&Romeo offers a strong mix of vegan formulas, cruelty-free practices, recycled materials, sustainability, women-owned leadership, and minimalist everyday beauty.

Lion Pose featured image

Lion Pose

United States · Luxury

Lion Pose is an American skincare brand founded by Madhu Punjabi and Nisha Phatak, built around a focused approach to high-performance skincare without turning routines into a long list of steps. As a women-owned beauty brand, it sits in the luxury segment while keeping its identity closely tied to practical, everyday use. Its formulation profile is one of the clearest reasons shoppers may consider the brand. Lion Pose is vegan and cruelty-free, with dermatologist-tested products and a sensitive-skin-friendly approach that makes it relevant for customers who want elevated skincare but are still cautious about irritation or overly aggressive formulas. Minimalist beauty is another important part of its positioning. Rather than encouraging customers to layer many overlapping products, the brand works best for people who prefer a smaller set of targeted essentials that can be used consistently. Its American beauty identity is supported by locally made production, giving the brand a stronger sense of origin than many globally manufactured skincare labels. Lion Pose ultimately sits at the intersection of luxury skincare and simplified beauty. It is especially suited to shoppers looking for a women-owned beauty brand that combines vegan and cruelty-free values, dermatologist-tested formulas, sensitive-skin-friendly products, local production, and a minimalist routine that still feels premium and intentional.

From The Labels is not officially associated with the brands, designers, or individuals mentioned on this page. Information is curated from public sources, and brand owners can update or verify their listings by contacting support@fromthelabels.com.